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Navy veteran John Canley, 80, a retired sergeant-major, received the nation's highest military honor on Wednesday for his "remarkable bravery" in the Vietnam War 50 years ago.
President Trump awarded the prize for his value to the White House at the opening of the ceremony, stating: "I love brave people and you meet them right here".
He presented a standing ovation to Canley, noting that he "has beaten with incomparable bravery in one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War".
Trump emphasized the greatest respect for his fellow warriors, citing John Ligato, a Navy and FBI officer, attending the ceremony: "We followed him because he was a real leader, he was totally fearless He loved his Marines and we loved him too. "
Trump said Canley is still going to the gym and his Marine colleagues call him a Marine Warrior, "who is larger than life and not within the grasp of death."
Sgt. Major John L. Canley received the medal of honor.
(Julia Brownley, Congressman)
Canley succeeded after his commander was seriously wounded, killing countless enemy fighters as his team took over Hue, in what was then South Vietnam.
"Being a leader means taking care of your people," Canley said in a February press release, as reported by Fox News earlier. "If you do that, they will take your point of view and you will not have to worry about your mission. It does not matter whether it's military or civilian: if you're in a leadership position, you should always remember that. "
Canley's heroism included climbing a hospital wall twice in front of the enemy to help the wounded Marines and transport them to a safe place.
Trump noted that Canley had fought several enemy attacks for several days in early 1968 during the most chaotic battle of the Vietnam War. Forces cong.
Trump said, "Despite serious injuries … (Canley) continued to face the enemy without worrying about his safety. John has led seven consecutive days of fierce fighting, personally saving the lives of more than 20 Marines. "
Canley demonstrated a calm almost zen under fire during the Tet offensive.
(Julia Brownley, Congressman)
Canley is the sixth American to receive the honor of Trump and the third veteran of the Vietnam War, reported The Hill.
He is the 300th Navy in American history to receive the Medal of Honor, reported Stars and Stripes.
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"My Marines, because they believed in me, they would follow me to death," said Canley in a video released Tuesday by the Marine Corps. "And I have no doubt about it."
Canley, who spent 28 years in service, left El Dorado, Arkansas, at the age of 15 to join the Marines.
He was deployed to Vietnam several times from 1965 to 1970 and his efforts saved the lives of many men and earned him the Navy Cross.
Representative Julia Brownley, D-Calif., Sponsored the congressional bill approving her new award, which was passed in January.
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"His heroism and bravery show what it means to be an American hero," Brownley said last month, according to Stars and Stripes.
Patricia Sargent, Canley's daughter, told USA Today that her father's leadership was the meaning of her life.
"It's about the individual," she said. And whether to teach them things or to avoid obstacles so that they can do other things. I think that was the job of his life. He did that for the Marines. He did this for me, my brother and my sister. Now, I see him pass on these little excerpts to his grandchildren. "
Associated Press contributed to this report.
